Organizers prepare for 30th annual Toy Run

Thursday

Sep 5, 2013 at 6:00 AM

Nobody in St. Joseph County has been watching the weather forecast this week more closely than Pat Linnan.

By Jef RietsmaJournal Correspondent

Nobody in St. Joseph County has been watching the weather forecast this week more closely than Pat Linnan.Linnan, president of the Sturgis Toy Run, likes what he sees.“Low 80s and partly sunny, perfect weather for a motorcycle ride,” Linnan said.After inclement weather played a factor in two of the past three years, Linnan said the Toy Run is ready for a respite.The Toy Run marks its 30th year, with the Kelly Road site open for camping today. The motorcycle rally portion begins at 1 p.m. Saturday.

For more about this year's Toy Run, see today's print edition.

Linnan, who has been a part of the event for 13 years and is serving his first year as president, said the Toy Run is proof that people with big hearts come in all shapes, sizes and from all walks of life.

“Our motto is ‘Do it for the kids,’ and we do … for 30 years now,” the 46-year-old Sturgis resident said. “This has always been about making sure there are kids out there who have something to open on Christmas morning.”Participants are required to pay $20 per person and provide a new toy. Linnan said 1,100 children in St. Joseph County and Bronson benefitted from the toys and cash generated at the 2012 Toy Run.Linnan said as the Toy Run is an established event, setting up at the 58-acre property owned by Ralph Conrod is a matter of routine. He said good help has been available to erect fences and do all of the advance work. For example, 125 port-a-potties must be distributed throughout the site.Campers and RVs typically show up Thursday night, while many of the tent campers arrive Friday, he said. It’s impossible to estimate how many people will arrive, although about 400 motorcycles were in last year’s run and some 1,800 people attended the after-ride party, Linnan said. “It all boils down to the weather … so many people wait until the day of, so you just don’t know what you’ll get until after the registration is closed,” he said.Linnan said only two food vendors were on the premises in 2012, but clearly more were needed. Eight have committed to this year’s event.As it has in the past, Kmart in Sturgis will have a trailer on site for riders to purchase new toys.“People don’t have to be a part of (Saturday’s ride) to come out to the campground,” Linnan said. “They still have to pay $20 to come in but there’s plenty to do and it’s always a good time.”